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How to Grow Dill at Home

Dill contains lots of vitamins, which are important for the entire family. In addition, this green herb has an unsurpassed flavor, complementing a variety of dishes. You can grow dill at home, on your windowsill instead of buying it in a supermarket. You can cultivate it by the usual method of planting as well as hydroponics. Keep reading to find out how to grow dill at home.

Conditions for Growing Dill

Light

Dill loves good lighting, so for your plant to grow well you should put it on your southern windowsill or the balcony if you choose to grow it inside. However, direct sunlight can damage the plant same as lack of light. To grow a good amount of this crop, put the pots in a slightly shaded place. Growing dill in the winter is somewhat different from caring for plants in the summer. In winter, the daylight isn’t long enough for the greens to receive the necessary dose of sunlight. In this case, artificial light is simply necessary. The lamp is installed at a distance of 50-60 cm from the plant.

Temperature

The optimal temperature for the growth of dill is 17-20 degrees Celsius, but minor deviations on the greater or lesser side are completely acceptable. Dill is cold-resistant, it can safely survive a drop in temperature to 8 degrees Celsius, so at night on the balcony dill will feel quite comfortable.

If the temperature is quite high on the thermometer where dill is placed, it will require more light. If there is insufficient light at a temperature of above 22 degrees Celsius, the herb will stretch out and become thin. To make the bush look beautiful, the container must be rotated 180 degrees. everyday. If this isn’t done, then the stem in the process of growth will slope to one side, and later may fall completely.

Size of Pot

You can grow dill at home in wooden boxes or ordinary pots for indoor flowers. The volume of containers should be selected taking into account how much herbs you want to receive in the end.

For starters, you can take a capacity of 2-3 liters, but the main condition for any container – the presence of holes at the bottom for the outflow of excess water. It’s also very important to have good drainage. The drainage layer is laid on the bottom of the container before filling it with the prepared soil mixture. Drainage can be made from pebbles, broken bricks or expanded clay.

Soil and Fertilizer

Soil for dill can be purchased at the horticultural store, although it can easily be made independently. Towards the end of autumn, prepare the garden soil, and before planting, mix it with the store substrate neutral in composition. Another alternative soil mixture can be made from biohumus and coconut fibers, taken in a 1:2 ratio. Dill can also be grown hydroponically, but for this purpose, it’s important to build a special installation with a pump and nutrient solution.

Growing dill at home isn’t difficult, but you shouldn’t forget about regular watering. Especially don’t forget to water the soil during the germination of the seed and the formation of the first leaves. However, it’s not necessary to over-water dill, because in that case mold can start to form. When growing dill on hydroponics, watering, of course, won’t be needed.

Fertilize the herbs with complex mineral top dressing no more often than once in 14-20 days.

Seed Preparation

Growing dill and caring for it isn’t difficult, but before planting the seeds they must be carefully prepared.

The fact is that the seeds of this plant contain a considerable amount of essential oils, which slow down the germination. You can get rid of these substances by soaking them in water. For this, the seeds are covered with water for at least 6-8 hours. Some soak the seed for 1-2 days, periodically changing the water. Then plant as you would any herb.